Jocey Y Las Mariachis
CAST
Jocelyn Villa
Jocelyn (JOCEY- PLAYWRIGHT) is a singer, actor, and writer from the southside of Chicago. After high school she studied performing arts at "The School of Hard Knocks". She is a proud ensemble member of Vision Latino Theatre Company and Musicality Vocal Ensemble. Her credits include: In the Heights (Nina Rosario), Just Like Us (Elissa/ Zulema), Nine Lives A New Musical (Kit Mubarak) as well as opening for Christina Aguilera, Bruno Marz, and Imagine Dragons. Jocelyn is excited to be part of the Destinos Festival and eternally grateful that she gets so share her story. She would like to thank all the incredible, creative people in the production team for helping bring her vision to life, even better than she could have imagined. "Special thanks to Flavia, Yajaira, and Xavier, for believing in me and to my precious babies Nala and Eugene. I love and appreciate y'all so much!" You can follow Jocelyn on social media @jocey__justjocey.
MARIACHI
Maria de Lourdes Sandoval
Maria de Lourdes Sandoval (VIHUELA) is an accomplished musician and vocalist based in Chicago with over a decade of experience performing mariachi music. Known for her dynamic vocal range and stage presence, she has appeared in various musical theatre productions, most recently at the Beverly Arts Center. She has performed extensively across Chicagoland, Northwest Indiana, and the greater Midwest region. A graduate of VanderCook College of Music, Maria de Lourdes is dedicated to both her craft and her community, currently teaching mariachi at Calmeca Academy in Brighton Park, Chicago. Her passion for cultural expression and musical excellence continues to inspire audiences and students alike.
Maria Jarquin
Maria Jarquin (GUITARRON) is a armonía player; guitar and guitarrón being her forte. Her mariachi journey started when she was 13 not so far from graduating middle school. In high school, she attended different mariachi programs in and out of school. Mariachi Sirenas became her first professional mariachi alongside helping other local mariachi groups in the city. Maria then moved to Texas for college where she joined Mariachi Estrellas de Alamo-SAC. Mariachi Extravaganza and Mariachi Spectacular are 2 competitions where her and her group won first place college division and even overall. Throughout her career, she has played for Candlelight Día de los Muertos, participated in a mariachi conference as a clinician, taught at various schools, and opened up for well known mariachis such as Mariachi Vargas and Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlan. The name Estrellas came back when she decided to come home and was warmly welcomed by Mariachi Estrellas de Chicago. Today, Maria is thrilled to have been invited to this wonderful project.
Jennifer Perez
Jennifer Perez (VIOLIN) is a 21 year old violinist with experience in various mariachi groups, most notably her own ensemble in which she co-founded: Mariachi Flor de Primavera. She aspires to share the beauty of mariachi music for many years to come.
Yazmin Nunez
Yasmin Nunez (VIOLIN) adore listening to Mexican music, but I’m also passionate about reggaeton and bachata. Singing has been a lifelong love since I could talk, and I found my calling with the violin at age 5. By 7, I knew mariachi was my dream, and it’s been my focus ever since. I started off in my elementary school mariachi and got the chance to be in Mariachi Institute of Chicago studying with Tony Ozuna and other members of Mariachi Monumental de Mexico. After covid, I was able to join a small mariachi in Little Village, Mariachi Tradicional Juvenil. This past year I’ve been working with Mariachi Estrellas de Chicago and continuing my journey in mariachi. Getting ready to perform, doing my makeup, and embracing my culture makes me so proud and happy, especially knowing it makes my parents proud too.
CREATIVE TEAM
Yajaira I. Custodio
Yajaira I. Custodio (DIRECTOR) is a Co-Founder and Associate Artistic Director of Visión Latino Theatre Company. Yajaira is a Puerto Rican Chicago based director, content creator, digital marketing specialist, costume and graphic designer. As Co-Founder and Associate Artistic Director of Visión Latino Theatre Company, Yajaira is committed to amplifying underrepresented voices and stories through the power of the stage. Through her work with Visión Latino, she hopes to highlight more work that elevates the voices and stories that are rarely produced. Yajaira extends her profound gratitude to the exceptional Visión Latino team Xavier, Flavia, and everyone at VLTC. Despite being a small group, our impact is undeniably mighty. She also expresses her heartfelt appreciation to her parents, her daughter Rio, and Xavi whose unwavering support fuels the passion and success of both herself and the company. Its us for LIFE! A extra special shoutout goes to my friend, the talented Jocey, for trusting me with your story. Working with you has been a highlight of my life. Follow us on IG @VISIONLATINO & Yajaira @wonderyarii
Xavier Custodio
Xavier M. Custodio (ARTISTIC DIRECTOR) is an award-winning theatre director from Chicago, IL and the Founding Artistic Director of Visión Latino Theatre Company. In 2019, Xavier M. Custodio won his first award at the Alliance of Latinx Theater Artists of Chicago for Outstanding Director of a Production - Musical for his work on In The Heights. In 2023, Xavier was honored to win the prestigious Jeff Award Director - Short Run for his work on the Midwest Premiere of That Must Be The Entrance to Heaven. Past Directing Credits Includes: Just Like Us, Revolt!, In The Heights, Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, Y Tu Abuela, Where is She? Part I, Failure: A Love Story, Sancocho, and That Must be the Entrance to Heaven.
Flavia Pallozzi
Flavia Pallozzi (ASSOCIATE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR- PLAYWRIGHT) is a Uruguayan-American actress and writer from Miami. She has spent over a decade in Chicago where she has had the privilege of working with Visión Latino and its talented ensemble for seven years. She has written across mediums, including copywriting, full-length plays, and teleplays. This is her first collaborative playwrighting effort and is honored to be sharing the title alongside Jocelyn Villa.
Anika Flores
Anika Flores (STAGE MANAGER) is ecstatic for her first production at Vision Latino Theatre. She is a graduate from Rockford University with a BFA in Acting/Directing. Her previous credits include working with Babes with Blades, Tecumseh! Outdoor Drama, National Theatre for Children, and B3 Theatre. She would like to thank Vision Latino for this opportunity and Marcus for his love and support.
Shayna Patel
Shayna Patel (SCENIC DESIGNER) is grateful to be back designing with Vision Latino Theatre Company. Her credits include Oh The Places You’ll Glow and E.T.C 48 (The Second City), Misery (American Blues Theatre), The Kid at The Edge of Everything (COCA) , A View From The Bridge (Shattered Globe), Last Stop on Market Street, Junie B. Jones and Dory Fantasmagory (Young People’s Theatre Chicago), That Must Be The Entrance To Heaven, and Sancocho (Vision Latino Theatre Company), and National Merit (Boho Theatre Company). Born in England, she later moved to Chicago for college and fell in love with the city. She holds a BA, Summa Cum Laude- Theatre Design. shaynadesigns.com
Kyle Anthony Cortés
An emerging artist on the Chicago scene his credits include performing and creating with companies such as The Second City Theatre, Artemisia Theater, Definition Theater, Citadel Theater, DePaul Opera Theater, Forevermore Dance and Theater and Chicago Summer Opera Theater. Originally from West Palm Beach, Florida, Cortés became a part of the Chicago artist community after completing his master’s of music degree from DePaul University.
He's passionate about educating historically underserved communities. This season he is a resident teaching artist for the music conservatory at The Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) (Humboldt Park), Chicago Music and Acting Academy (Jefferson Park) and Forevermore Dance and Theater (Elmwood Park).
kacortes.com | IG: @kacortes